CHAPTER 3

As Steffy stepped out of the school gate, she noticed the dark patches of clouds that were just forming above her.

"Shit. It's going to rain," she mumbled as she lazily walked through the narrow pathway. Her hands were tucked inside her pockets and her small leather bag dangled to her side. Just then, the ringing of her phone immediately caught her attention. She hastily fished it from her bag and brought the speaker to her ear.

"Hola (Hello), Papa. Yes. I'm finally here. I've already met the target. I’ve made an investigation earlier during lunch break and I found out that he was one of the most respected teachers in this school. I still had to get his schedule so I could—alright, I’ll stop talking now. I'll just send you an update soon. Yo también te quiero (I love you), Papá."

She constantly told him her 'I love yous' but her father was one cold-hearted man. Heaving a sigh, she dropped the call without getting an 'I love you too' from her father.

She started walking again; the soles of her black school shoes created a sound on the cemented path.

"Fucking hell," she cursed under her breath as tiny droplets of rain poured onto her skin. "Language, Miss Rivera."

Steffy was startled when a deep voice rang her ears. Teacher Greg was already walking towards her, carrying a black umbrella. Steffy stared at him with her mouth slightly opened. Her heart thumped wildly inside her chest. She didn’t want to admit it but the sight of Teacher Greg suddenly left her breathless. Before she knew it, he was already standing beside her. "What are you doing, Sir?" the curious girl asked in a soft voice.

“It’s raining. I can see that you don't have an umbrella with you."

"I—I didn't expect for a rain, Sir." "Neither did I,” the teacher replied with a lopsided grin. “But we should always be prepared. We don’t know what the future brings. Anyway, let me just walk you to that waiting shed as we wait for your—?”

“Dad,” she said. “I’m waiting for him.”

“Okay.”

They walked side by side as the rain started to pour heavily. Both of them were not saying a word, and yet, Steffy was fully aware of Teacher Greg's hand around her small shoulder. She felt uncomfortable, but the teacher seemed to think the opposite way.

“How long have you been standing behind me, Teacher Greg? Did you hear anything from the call I made?”

The teacher flashed her a side glance before answering.

“No. Why do you ask? Are you afraid that I might hear what you and your boyfriend talked about on the phone?”

Steffy blushed at his straightforward remarks. “I don’t have a fucking boyfriend,” she grumpily replied. "Boys are dumb."

The teacher only laughed at her. “I was just teasing you, Miss Rivera.” Steffy rolled her eyes. Then both of them fell silent.

"I've heard that your parents work as engineers," the teacher asked after a while. "They're building the new mall in the next town, aren't they?" Steffy smirked. "For a teacher, Sir Greg. You sure know a lot." "It's normal for an adviser to get curious about his or her students, especially the new ones," he retaliated.

"But sometimes, it's better not to meddle on someone's affair, Sir," countered Steffy.

"I'm not meddling. I'm just merely telling you what I know about you."

‘That’s not necessary!’ Steffy replied in her mind. She started to feel irritated with this encounter.

"I didn't say you're meddling, Sir." She heard him laugh again. It was clear that Mr. Lopez was becoming more amused by her every minute. She couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes. Upon reaching the waiting shed, Teacher Greg carefully closed his umbrella while Steffy dried her wet arms with a hanky. "Thank you, Sir," she murmured politely. "Don't mention it."

They stood underneath the roof of that small waiting shed as they stared at the pouring rain before them. Steffy looked around and noticed how the ground turned brownish and muddy. She cringed when she realized that not all parts of the school were cemented. Most of them were now swimming in mud and dirt. Being raised by a billionaire father, she was not used to such an environment. As much as she wanted to complain about the mud that was sticking to her newly polished shoes, she cannot do that. No one should know her real identity, not even her teachers.

"So, your records tell me that you are 17 years old." Steffy glanced at him and nodded.

"Yes, I am."

Just a few nights ago, she celebrated her 18th birthday in the presence of the Alphas. But of course, she wasn’t telling him that. Her father was able to pull some strings to weave a new identity for her thus changing her name and her profile. It’s amazing how her father did that in just a flick of his fingers. Indeed, being a daughter of a multi-billionaire had its perks. Just then, a fancy car pulled in front of them. The window rolled down and the face of a huge man emerged by the window. Steffy felt relieved.

"My dad is here,” she squealed as she sprinted towards the car. Steffy was already dripping when she finally got inside.

"Thank you, Sir Greg. See you tomorrow," Steffy exclaimed from inside the car.

The teacher smiled then nodded at Mr. Rivera. The latter closed the tinted window before the man drove away. Both of them watched Teacher Greg who was left standing underneath his umbrella, smiling to himself.

"That man likes you, señorita."

"Oh, come on, George. Shut up," she replied, rolling her eyes. George only chuckled.

"Stop chuckling, George. It's not funny." Grunting, the big man beside her said in a now serious voice, "I'm sorry, señorita."

Feeling suddenly grumpy, she pushed a button in front of her, and almost instantly, the chair reclined on itself, transforming it into a comfortable bed.

"Long day, George. Long day," she muttered underneath her breath as the huge man, who presented himself as her father, drove silently through the rain.

Charlotte Quinto was determined to make the new girl’s life miserable at Libangon National High. After that incident where Steffy humiliated her in front of their classmates and Sir Greg, she wanted nothing more but to be the big bitch that everyone in school had been dodging to cross with. That afternoon, she directly went inside Teacher Greg’s private office and initiated a kiss. She was so mad at him because he had ignored her on the first day of school and he did nothing when Steffy grilled her in front of her classmates.

“What the hell are you doing, Charlotte?”

The girl continued to ravage the teacher’s lips as her hands moved to unbuckle his pants. The teacher firmly held her shoulders and angrily told her to stop what she was doing. Charlotte was taken aback.

“What now, Sir Greg? You don’t want me anymore?” she taunted. “Why? Because you’ve already grown tired of my body? Or is it because you have now a new plaything? The new girl, right?”

“Just get out of my office, Charlotte. I have important things to do.”

“Just fucking tell me!” Charlotte screamed. Teacher Greg’s fists flew on the table and the girl was taken aback.

“You don’t have the right to boss me around, Miss Quinto. Get out of my office now.” “This cannot be! You can’t do this to me! I’m sorry, Sir—”

“Get out!” Teacher Greg said in a threatening voice. Sniffling a tear, Charlotte stomped out of the teacher’s room and cried at the girl’s bathroom. When she got out after a couple of minutes, five of her friends came across her and they both all agreed to change in their PE uniform at the locker room. Surprisingly, the new girl was already there, silently rummaging through her locker.

"Hey, bitch!" Charlotte said. "I love your hair, you stupid hoe. Do you want us to shave it all off for you?"

Then laughter followed. Steffy was irritated now, and yet, she seemed to be so composed with herself. Steffy ignored the assault by attempting to get away from them. But instead of letting her go, Charlotte pushed her on the floor and Steffy groaned at the impact. She plastered a smirk.

“Suits you right!”

"What do you want?” Steffy asked in a disgusted tone. Charlotte pushed her towards the locker. It made the metal doors roar in their ears.

"You humiliated me yesterday, remember?”

“It wasn’t my intention to humiliate you, but you seemed to have a problem with me so I just dealt with it!” Steffy replied.

“You don’t have the right to talk back, newbie!” “And what right do you have? Why are you terrorizing everyone? Why do you hate me so much?” Charlotte snarled at Steffy as she pinned her even more. Just looking at her pretty face made her blood boil with anger.

“I saw you yesterday, bitch," Charlotte hissed. "Sir Greg escorted you through the rain."

Steffy looked surprised. "You came to me just because you saw Teacher Greg escorting me through the rain?" Steffy said, giggling. Charlotte was taken aback. Once again, Steffy made her look like a fool in front of their classmates. "Tell me, Charlotte. Is that what you came here for?" Steffy coolly asked again. “I cannot imagine the level of obsession you feel for our handsome adviser, Charlotte.” Steffy then laughed villainously.

"Why are you laughing, bitch!”

"Do you realize how pathetic you are, Charlotte?" Charlotte’s expression softened as Steffy said that. Her face also reddened with anger. "How dare you say that! Aren't you scared of me?"

“I should be the one asking you that," Steffy retaliated. Her trimmed eyebrows raised and her eyes glittered with pure amusement. Charlotte didn’t like it when she was taken as a fool.

"Look here, newbie. I hate you! And I came here just to make sure you see that. Girls like you should know their place."

Steffy shot her with an eerie smile. "You're the one who should know your place, Charlotte. Not me. You don't know me, nor the things that I can do to you and the rest of your—" she pauses and says with pure disgust, "—cults." Charlotte was now really mad. She cannot imagine where Steffy’s different bravery came from. She charged her and furiously grabbed her collar. "You've pushed my limits, newbie. I am the queen of this school and Teacher Greg is my king. Mine! Now, you're going to pay for humiliating me and for trying to steal him from me.”

Steffy only giggled at that. “Come on, Queen Charlotte,” Steffy replied mockingly. “Are you out of your mind? I didn’t steal anyone from you!”

“Shut up!” Charlotte yelled. "You'll pay for this! Girls, hold her!" Immediately, two huge girls grappled with Steffy's arms.

"You're crazy, aren’t you, Charlotte? I swear I wouldn't do that if I were you," Steffy remarked, the hint of angst and contained anger was now evident in her voice. Regardless, Charlotte ignored it. She raised her hand and sent a head-swirling slap on Steffy's face. Steffy received the blow but still managed to laugh sarcastically in front of the girls.

"You're testing my patience, newbie—" Charlotte's threats hung in the air as Steffy slammed the girls’ heads together. They screamed as Steffy mercilessly kicked their faces, making them kneel helplessly on the floor. Blood immediately dripped through their broken nose.

"You're the one who's testing my patience, bitch!" Steffy exclaimed. Using her right hand, Steffy charged Charlotte and dragged her by the hair. The latter screamed agonizingly as Steffy’s firm grip reaped through her scalp. Charlotte tried to strangle Steffy but the latter was taller and much stronger. She did not have a choice but to submit to the pain. The rest of the girls backed away and tried to leave.

"No one leaves that door! Lock it," Steffy roared in a threatening voice, making them stop on their tracks. A shivering girl hurriedly walked to the door to lock it from the inside. Then, with a strong movement of her arms, Steffy yanked Charlotte towards the corner and sent her to the floor. Her face hit the edge of a wooden chair. Everyone felt scared now. Plastering a creepy smirk, Steffy walked over Charlotte, hearing her groan in utter pain. She squatted in front of her as she playfully tucked several strands that covered her face.

"What do you want us to do? W—We’ll do anything," Charlotte said pleadingly as a tear began to fall from the corner of her left eye. “Just—Just let us go.”

"Very well. I'll lay my conditions."

Charlotte blew a sigh as Steffy stretched her hand to her.